“The writer writes its book to explain to himself what cannot be explained” -Gabriel García Marquez
The Latino community has always excelled in its contributions to different academic fields, including the arts! When it comes to literature, there’s no exception. Some Latin American authors, whether they be poets, novelists or essayists, have influenced the world of writing with their creativity and originality.
Since 1940, when Latin American literature has become an important reference in universal literature. Nowadays it continues to grow thanks to its various movements such as realism, antinovel and magical realism.
Literature is an important part of Hispanic culture. Therefore, it is important to remember great figures of literature who, thanks to their creativity and originality in their writings, have achieved worldwide recognition and admiration. Listed below are some of the big names that have revolutionized Latin American literature:
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a Colombian journalist and writer, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982, and considered one of the most important writers in Latin America. He was the author of great works recognized worldwide, among which are: Cien Años de Soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitude), El Amor en los Tiempos del Cólera (Love in the Time of Cholera) y El Coronel No Tiene Quien Le Escriba (No One Writes to the Colonel).
- Pablo Neruda, Chilean writer, who was considered “the greatest of the twentieth century in all languages”. He was the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971 and was awarded Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Oxford.Neruda has many books that are considered as world representatives of literature, such as: Veinte poemas de amor y una canción Desesperada (Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair) y Cien Sonetos de Amor (100 Love Sonnets).
- Gabriela Mistral, Chilean writer, is recognized as the only woman from a Spanish speaking country to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Her work references topics such as love, death and motherhood. She is distinguished for the use of colloquial language in her works, which include: Locas Mujeres (Crazy women), Desolación (Despair) and Sonetos de la Muerte (Sonnets of Death).
- Jorge Luis Borgues, an Argentinean essayist, storyteller and poet. He received he Nobel Prize in Literature 32 years after his death. He is considered a scholar for the variety expressed in his works, ranging from short stories and novels to studies and essays on history, literature and politics. His most famous works include Universal History of Infamy (1935), Ficciones (1944), The Aleph (1949), and The Book of Sand (1975).
These and other iconic Latin American writers gave birth to new genres, successful works and recognition in the field of art. Their contributions portray the cultural richness of Latin America and will be remembered by generations to come.
NHCOA, continuing the commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month, remembers and celebrates not only the contributions that these great Hispanic figures have made to the field of literature, but also the legacy they have left to everyone in the world.
References
BBC Mundo:
https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2014/04/130424_garcia_marquez_cinco_nobel_latinos_ob_nm
LIFEDER
https://www.lifeder.com/escritores-latinoamericanos/
